Gianni Caponi: New book explores life of prominent Italian restorer

A new volume dedicated to the life and professional activity of restorer Gianni Caponi will be presented on October 23, 2026, at the Opera della Primaziale Pisana. Edited by Loretta Dolcini and published by the Associazione Giovanni Secco Suardo with Lubrina Bramani Editore, the book, titled ‘Cominciando da Giotto. Vita di Gianni Caponi restauratore’, reconstructs Caponi’s career through his extensive archives and oral testimonies.

Caponi, who grew up in Florence, began his career in the workshop of Leonetto Tintori, contributing to the restoration of major Italian masterpieces. The publication traces his evolution from a traditional craftsman to an independent restorer specializing in decorated surfaces and stone materials, reflecting the broader shift in Italian restoration toward an interdisciplinary discipline.

The presentation will be preceded by a guided tour of the frescoes at the Camposanto Monumentale, a site closely linked to Caponi’s professional history.